SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – A bill extending Illinois’ medical marijuana program by 2{ years has been signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner. In addition to extending the pilot program, the bill signed Thursday by Rauner adds PTSD and terminal illness to the list of qualifying conditions. Illinois’ medical marijuana pilot program got its start under former Gov.…

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) – A former Swansea man has been sentenced to 56 years in prison for the repeated rape of a 10-year-old girl. The Belleville News-Democrat reports (http://bit.ly/29gjiPO ) that 33-year-old Gary Mikel Grodin pleaded guilty to four of the 31 child pornography and predatory criminal sexual assault charges against him. St. Clair County State’s…

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – A company is trying again to build a power line in Missouri for a multistate wind energy project. Houston-based Clean Line Energy Partners on Thursday reapplied to build the Grain Belt Express despite earlier rejection from state regulators. The power line would transmit energy from Kansas, across northern Missouri and Illinois…